1. Remember when you were a tender sapling
Beauty's cloak covered you, soft and pliant

2. The sap of youth commingled on your face
With water undefiled by aging's taint

3. When you walked, your grace did flow and glide
Your shapely form a vision fresh and bright

4. An uncut reed you were in your life's dawn
Now just a reed, its verdure peeled and gone

5. Your flanks are caked with dust, your springtimes past
Your visage furrowed, joyless, worn and sad

6. Partake of youthful joy while time allows
No happiness remains for aged boughs